PASCO Sarah Palin is excited to be in the Tri-Cities.
Moments after arriving by private jet Wednesday evening from Orlando, Fla., she told reporters, "It's kind of surreal. But it's really good to be back in the Tri-Cities to reconnect with the roots."
The former Alaska governor's last visit with family here was about a year ago, she said during an impromptu news conference as she held her son Trig and her daughter Piper stood next to her.
"I like the summer here," she said.
Her husband Todd, she added, stayed at home "fixing the roof."
"I need to call him," said Palin, who plans to be in the Tri-Cities through Sunday. She said she's thankful for the safe return of her son Track from Iraq and also for those who serve the country so others can enjoy their freedom and ideals.
She said she is looking forward to spending time with relatives in the Tri-Cities. "I like the wonderful chaos of the family (at Thanksgiving)," she said.
The former GOP vice presidential candidate said she doesn't know about her political future yet. But she wants America to become energy independent and be secure. "I don't need a title to help."
Politicians often forget small towns are the backbone of the U.S. economy, Palin said, noting that the Hanford nuclear reservation and its workers helped keep the nation secure. She described the Tri-Cities as "an industrious area."
She and her family are registered to run in today's Turkey Trot in Kennewick's Columbia Park.
"Leaving Florida to meet family from Texas/Alaska/Washington. We run in Red Cross charity 5k race tmrrw in Richland b4 Thanksgiving dinner..." Palin said earlier on Twitter.
They're expected to join about 3,000 participants for the annual event, which starts at 8:45 a.m. and includes a one-mile fun run/walk and a five-kilometer run.
The Benton-Franklin Chapter of the Red Cross notified the Kennewick Police Department that Palin planned to attend, confirmed Jeanne Jelke, local Red Cross executive director.
Palin's only other scheduled public appearance is her book signing in Richland from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday.
She'll be signing copies of Going Rogue at the Hastings bookstore at 1425 George Washington Way.
Hastings officials say she'll only sign books bought at a Hastings store, with a limit of two per person. A printed Hastings receipt must be shown.
Anyone interested in joining the fun run this morning can register by 7:30 a.m. The fee is $20 and shirts are $10.
There also will be a bounce house, clown and McDonald's "goody bags" for kids 8 and under. Free Starbucks coffee, Pepsi beverages and hot chocolate also will be provided.
Check tricityherald.com for coverage of Palin and today's fun run.
We also want to see your photos of Palin by sending them to the Herald for a reader online gallery. Send them to tch.com/sendphoto.
Then watch for them to be posted at tricityherald.com.
-- Pratik Joshi: 509-582-1541; pjoshi@tricityherald.com
Similar stories:
CONGRESS: Hastings' Pasco earmark questioned
CONGRESS: Hastings' Pasco earmark questioned
For Republican Rep. Doc Hastings, it made good sense to secure a $750,000 earmark in 2009 for the city of Pasco: It would help replace a deteriorating 74-year-old underpass that had to be closed for repairs last year, a road so dangerous that school buses couldn’t even pass through safely.
The project is only three blocks away from property owned by Hastings.
Hastings is defending the project after the Washington Post reported today that he and 32 other members of Congress directed more than $300 million in earmarks and other spending provisions to dozens of public projects that are close to the lawmakers' own property.
9/11 changed lives of these volunteers
9/11 changed lives of these volunteers
As Shirley Schmunk was glued to a TV screen on 9/11 watching the twin towers fall, the Tri-City woman remembers being struck with the fear of what was about to happen.
Schmunk, like so many others, was confused and didn't exactly know what was going on. But her thoughts immediately went to America's young men and women, and the likelihood of them being recruited or even drafted for military service in the wake of the terrorist attacks on this country.
Little did she know at the time that the Tri-Cities would send many of its own overseas to fight terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Cupcakes Bakery & Deli shop opening at Kennewick storefront
Cupcakes Bakery & Deli shop opening at Kennewick storefront
There's good news for all those who have missed the goodies and yummy food served up at Cupcakes Bakery & Deli.
Milli Banks Boggan moved her mixers and baking pans to a newly built storefront at 5610 W. Clearwater Ave., Kennewick.
It's so new that she hasn't put up a sign.
Desert Villa residents party with neighbors as elevators repaired
Desert Villa residents party with neighbors as elevators repaired
KENNEWICK -- The third floor at Desert Villa East was the setting for an unusual kind of celebration Monday.
Despite the red velvet ribbons on the wall, the jazzy holiday tunes flowing from a CD boom box, and the sweatshirts adorned with sparkling snowmen or Santa Claus in puffy paint, the gathering wasn't a Christmas party -- well, not exactly.
The handful of residents sitting around tables drinking punch and playing cards were using the replacement of the building's elevator as a reason to come out of their apartments, and for some to come out of their shells and meet their neighbors.
Hastings steered federal money for underpass near his property
Hastings steered federal money for underpass near his property
WASHINGTON -- For Republican Rep. Doc Hastings, it made good sense to secure a $750,000 earmark in 2009 for the city of Pasco.
It would help replace a deteriorating 74-year-old underpass that had to be closed for repairs last year, a road so dangerous that school buses couldn't even pass through safely.
The Lewis Street Overpass project is just three blocks away from property owned by Hastings.
Print
Email Story
